Intro to Environmental Health

environment

everything external to ourselves; the physical, natural, social, cultural, and behavioral environment.

global ecosystem

our environment is interconnected and does not recognize human defined political and mapped boundaries.

health

a state of complete mental, physical, and social wellbeing. NOT just the absence of disease or infirmary

env. health

The science of identifying and understanding the impacts of environmental exposures to hazardous physical, chemical, and biological agents in air, water, soil, food, as well as social stressors that may adversely affect human health. The goal of environmental health is to prevent human injury and illness and promote well-being

Basic Requirements for a Healthy Environment

• Clean Air

• Clean Water

• Safety from infections

• Safe and nutritious food

• Safe and peaceful settlements

Why is environmental health important?

According to the United Nation: Every individual has a right to clean air, clean water, adequate housing, and food.

History of env. health

Environmental health first became a concern in 1842 in Britain (first law passed in 1846). However the National Institute of Environmental Health (US)  was not established until 1966.

2nd Industrial revolution: 1870: mass production: where we see env. health advocacy

env. health hazards

• biological

• chemical

• physical

• mechanical

• psycho-social

biological hazards

• mold

• pathogens

chemical hazards

• pesticides

• lead

• toxic waste

• asbestos

• heavy metals

physcial hazards

• extreme temp.

• noise

• radiation

mechanical hazards

moving or mechanical components

• mobile work equipment

• uncontrolled moving parts

• dangerous surfaces

• slippery surfaces and tripping hazards

• crash

• controlled moving unprotected parts

psycho-social hazards

environmental and community conditions in the work environment that lead to stress, strain and interpersonal problems

examples:

• poor working conditions

• job insecurity

• lack of support

• excessive workloads

• harassment that cause anxiety and depression

• Bullying

• Violence

• Fatigue

• Long work hours

• Unorganized work environment

individual actions

• Environmental clean ups (large scale), not littering, picking up trash we see (small scale)

• Not smoking (personal lung health & community health/ air pollution reduction)

• Reducing traffic hazards (WAZE)

• Changing dietary habits to support health (reducing diabetes and heart disease risks)

• Advocacy - promoting healthy lifestyles

large scale

• Industry Regulations

• Oil & Gas

• Policy

• Factories & Air pollutants

env. justice lens

Where we live, or are forced to live, can expose us to more or less hazards.

Examples:

• Redlining

• Zoning

• Gerrymandering

human component of env health

GENES

Genes, our inherited genetic material, determines if we are predisposed to certain conditions. Genes are our “built in clock of self destruction”. Our genes determine how we are affected by environmental exposure. Some people are impacted worse than others because they are genetically susceptible.

epigenetics

How your environment and behaviors can alter the way your genes work

If people are continuously exposed to environmental harms, it impacts how future generations are predisposed to health conditions or behavior